How long can toll boycotters hold out?

Some motorists who traverse the Portmore leg of Highway 2000 are firm in their decision to boycott the toll road, as pressure grows for operators to roll back rate increases that took effect on Saturday.

The pushback has primarily come from parents who commute from St Catherine into Kingston daily.

The group is expected to spurn the increases, which range between 9.09 per cent and 26.67 per cent until September when the summer break ends and children return to school.

But it would take hundreds, if not thousands, of motorists to have a noticeable impact on the toll operators’ revenues.

Motorists will have to fork out $340 for Class One vehicles after an increase of $50. The cost for Class Two vehicles has increased by $80, from $470, while for Class Three drivers must pay $1,020 after a hike of $150.

“I think it’s unconscionable for the Government to grant this request. I thought the Government would have asked them to reconsider the amount. It’s one thing to raise it by $10 or $20, but all of $50 is unreasonable,” said Stacy-Ann Delevante.

She told The Gleaner that she will be using Mandela Highway until her daughter returns to school.

TransJamaican Highway Limited, the concessionaire for the east-west toll road, which includes the Portmore leg, has said that it cannot forgo the increase having recorded a net loss of US$1.9 million at the height of the coronavirus pandemic in 2020.

However, the company recorded 16 per cent revenue growth in 2021 after net profit of US$4 million.

Its annual report noted that growth was only one per cent below pre-pandemic levels in 2019.

Toll collections totalled US$52,755,000 in 2021, US$45,382,000 in 2020, and US$53,285,000 in 2019.

The Portmore leg of the highway amounted to approximately US$25 million in collections for 2021, the highest among the four legs, which also include the Vineyards, Spanish Town, and May Pen toll plazas.

Vehicle transaction volume for all legs equalled 22.9 million, five per cent below the pre-pandemic figure for 2019.

Motorists who use the Portmore and Spanish Town toll plazas will receive discounts after their 10th trip, operators have said, but some parents have insisted that the boycott will continue.

“With the prevailing spike in food and energy prices and an inconclusive comprehensive review of public-sector wages, the Government of Jamaica should make representation to either postpone the hike or activate specific provisions under the toll agreement that afford for leeway or flexibility in applying new rates, amidst the present economic challenges,” a government worker, who requested anonymity, argued.

Toll increases are due for consideration annually, according to agreements signed in 2003 and 2014 by the Government.

Some motorists were caught off guard by the rate increases, resulting in severe confusion at the toll plaza.

“[On Saturday] persons were literally turning back, like reversing all the way from whence they came because we weren’t aware. People did a cuss and did want to burn dung di toll office,” Portmore resident Llamond DeCambre told The Gleaner.

“When I drove up to the tollbooth, I realised that there was some argument between the cashier and driver in front of me. I thought it was a case where the cashier never had any change, but it was about the increase. Persons who weren’t aware maybe had the exact money in their car,” he added.

Mayor of Portmore Leon Thomas said that the timing of the increase was wrong given the challenges already facing Jamaicans. Commodity prices have soared all year amid global supply-chain woes and May inflation of approximately 11 per cent.

“Portmore residents, stop grunt and bear it. Send a message. Head to Mandela Highway and let traffic back as far as Clarendon and St Ann,” Renair Benjamin, People’s National Party councillor for the Westchester division in Portmore, said in a social-media post on Saturday.

But despite the plans, the Portmore toll plaza was still buzzing with activity as customary long lines were on display.

– Kimone Francis contributed to this story.

ainsworth.morris@gleanerjm.com